APC affirmation of anointed aspirants clear political banditry - Dr Shinkafi



From Ahmed Attahir 


The Zamfara North Senatorial aspirant,of All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has raised concerned over excluding cleared aspirants and opted  for the affirmation of anointed candidates,describing the move as political banditry in the state. 

Addressing newsmen in Gusau, Dr Shinkafi described the process as “imposition of candidates and political banditry, alleging that Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, arrived in Zamfara with a private jet alongside past and present governors to enforce the directive.

According to Shinkafi, Matawalle and the governors told aspirants that President Bola Tinubu had ordered all senatorial aspirants to withdraw for serving senators ahead of primaries scheduled for Tuesday, 19 May 2026. He said no meeting or consultation was held on the matter.

“This undemocratic order, if actually made by Mr President, does not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026,” Shinkafi said.

The aspirant cited Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to hold primaries for all elective positions through direct primaries or consensus, with the process monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

He also referenced recent statements by President Tinubu and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda that the party would avoid imposition and opt for direct primaries where consensus fails.

Shinkafi said he was never consulted, did not withdraw from the race, and did not submit any letter stepping down. 

He directed supporters in Zamfara North to boycott the affirmation exercise, alleging that political thugs had been mobilised to disrupt the primaries.

“As a democrat and law-abiding citizen, I will not participate in any electoral process that is not in compliance with the provisions of the law. All my supporters should remain calm and stay at home,” he stated.

He vowed to challenge his exclusion in court, saying, “This injustice shall not stand. I will challenge my unlawful exclusion from Zamfara North Senatorial Primary in Court.”

Shinkafi warned that the development could repeat the 2019 scenario in Zamfara, when the Supreme Court nullified APC primaries over internal disputes and awarded victories to the party that came second in the general election. 

“The current imposition of candidates by the APC is political banditry and proves to the nation that Bello Matawalle is a political bandit being the arrow head of this assault on our democracy,” he said.

The statement accused Matawalle of murdering democracy in Zamfara and shrinking APC’s chances in the state. 

It also claimed that Governor Dauda Lawal of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stood to benefit from the crisis.

Shinkafi called on party leaders to adhere strictly to the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the APC constitution to avoid further legal challenges.

Dr. Shinkafi contested the Zamfara governorship election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2019 and served as National Secretary of the party. He was listed as Patron of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in 2023 and is seeking the APC ticket for Zamfara North Senatorial District.

The APC national leadership has consistently stated that consensus arrangements must be voluntary and in line with party guidelines. Make a suitable news headlines.

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